Builders in Fintech — Friday 13 November: Cocos raises $34M, 4 more rounds
Settlement rails and lenders' balance sheets carried the set. Visa added Western Union's USDPT to VisaNet settlement and DTCC put a 2027 date on Solana, two more steps in moving dollars and securities onchain. Nubank posted record quarterly profit of $1.1 billion while taking its accounts beyond Latin America, Argentina's Cocos took its first outside money from Kaszek at a $508 million valuation, and in the UK Metro Bank put itself up for sale after its best half-year.
The editor
The lead
Visa adds Western Union's USDPT stablecoin to VisaNet settlement through Anchorage Digital
Visa and eligible partners can now settle VisaNet obligations in USDPT, the Western Union dollar stablecoin issued by Anchorage Digital Bank.
A stablecoin issued by a federally chartered bank can now settle card-network obligations directly, giving remittance firms and fintechs a regulated onchain route into Visa settlement without changing networks.
Rounds · last 7 days: 39 · Funding Index (2026-W45): 181
Our news
Spout Finance adds Ondo Stocks as collateral for interest-free USDC loansSpout Finance will accept Ondo Stocks as collateral on Solana from launch, letting eligible non-U.S.
- Wise reports H1 FY27: 16.2 million active customers, volume up 24%
Wise's half-year results show active customers up 21% to 16.2 million and cross-border volume up 24% to $141.0 billion.
Kalshi in talks to raise at a $65B valuation, up from $40B in OctoberKalshi is in talks to raise new funding at a $65B valuation, Bloomberg reported, citing one person familiar with the discussions.
- Klarna names Robinhood's Chris Koegel as CFO from 1 January 2027
Klarna has appointed Chris Koegel as Chief Financial Officer, effective 1 January 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
Gemini reportedly sells its UK and European operations to KAST for under $10MGemini Space Station, the parent of the Winklevoss-founded crypto exchange, has reportedly sold its UK and European operations to stablecoin firm KAST.
Enza Capital reaches $21M first close of its AI Africa FundEnza Capital has reached a first close of about $21M for its third fund, the AI Africa Fund.
HSBC UK launches Tap to Pay for small businesses, powered by StripeHSBC UK has launched Tap to Pay for its small business customers.
DOJ AI task force extends enforcement focus to companies that use AIThe Department of Justice announced a Super Intelligence Task Force on Nov.
The rounds
| Company | Round | Lead investor | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aline Accounting Partners source | Late-stage round | — | $206M |
| Cocos source | Growth-stage round | Kaszek | $34M |
| Griffin source | Series B | Octagon Partners | $20M |
| Marble source | Seed | Polychain Capital | $11M |
| Nagaris source | Seed | — | $1.3M |
Quick hits
Other
- SE Klarna named Chris Koegel, Robinhood's head of corporate finance and investor relations, as chief financial officer from 1 January 2027, subject to regulatory approval, succeeding Niclas Neglén. — Klarna (SEC Form 6-K)
Banking
- DE N26 opened pre-registration for a state-subsidised private retirement account in Germany, planned for 1 January 2027 subject to certification, with Franklin Templeton as exclusive partner for the standard portfolio. — The Paypers
- GB Starling Bank announced talk to transact, letting personal and joint account holders set up payments by voice or text in its app and approve them with a tap, rolling out by year-end. — Finextra
Payments
- GB Wirex launched Navoka, an invite-only AI agent with its own IBAN, debit card and USDC and EURC wallets, with every card charge checked against user-set limits at authorisation. — Wirex
- PH RCBC's Pulz US virtual account now accepts USDC and USDT transfers through US network Meridian, credited as dollars, so Filipino freelancers can receive payments from US clients outside banking hours. — Fintech News Philippines
Crypto
- IL Israel Discount Bank will let private customers buy, hold and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum in its app from 26 November, with custody on Fireblocks infrastructure. — The Paypers
Number of the day
181
30 rounds this week · baseline 16.58
How the Funding Index worksComing up
Ask our database from Claude or ChatGPT
7,347 companies · 7,713 investors · 9,631 rounds. Connect via MCP.